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No. 695,555. Patented Feb. ",1902.

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No. 693,355. Patented Feb. Il, |902.

C. J. SPRINGER.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CALVIN J. SPRINGER, OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTER.V

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent No. 693,355, dated February11, 1902. Application 'led October 16,` 1900. Serial No. 33,288. (N0modeL) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CALVIN J. SPRINGER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Somerville, in the county of Middlesex and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inElectrical Distributers; and I do declare the following to be a-full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the yart to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, and to thefigures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to relays for electrically-operated apparatus; andone of its objects is to employ a duplex automatically-operat ing relayadapted to be set in motion by the closing of an electric circuit and inturn eithei` successivelyor simultaneously close one or more secondarycircuits, which may include lights, bells, or otherelectrically-operated devices. By holding the first-mentioned or primarycircuit closed the above operation will be repeated continuously,thereby rendering the apparatus especially adapt-- cd for use inconnection with changeable electrical displays, panoramas, and othersimilar electrically-operated devices.

A further object of the invention is to so construct the apparatus thatupon closing and then immediately breaking the primary circuit the relayWill be set in motion and continue so until each secondary circuit hasbeen closed thereby, Whereuponthe relay will be automatically stopped.This feature of my invention adapts it for use in connection Withprogram-clocks or like devices, whereby a single impulse received from amaster-clock serves to operate a series of suitably-arran ged signals. Y

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel arrangement ofcircuits whereby when the primary circuit is closed its current Willrelease the relay and then automatically break and enter a secondcircuit, to which a motor is electrically connected. This motor servesto operate the circuit closing and breaking mechanism of the relay.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the novelconstruction and combination of parts hereinafter more fully describedand claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, showing thepreferred form of my invention, and in which- Figure 1 is-a frontelevation of the appai ratus with the commutator removed. Fig. 2 is arear elevation of one form of com mutator employed With the apparatusand showing secondary circuits. Figs. 3 and 4 are side views of thearmature of the relay, showing the same in different positions. Figs. 5and 6 are respectivelya side elevation and an edge view of a modifiedform of commutator which may be employed with the apparatus when a veryshort contact is desired. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of still anotherform of comm utator for the relay, comprising a paWl-and-ratchet deviceadapted to be used in lieu of the electric motor shown in Figs. 1 and 2.Fig. 13 is a front elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 14is an end view of the commutator shown in Fig. 2, the circuit-breaker,the shaft, dre.; and Fig. 15 is a central vertical section. through thecommutator shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

The referencenumeral 1 designates the shaft of an electric motor, saidmotor being supported in suitable framework 2 and in electricalconnection with a battery 3. Upon the inner end of the shaft 1 is formeda Worm 4, which meshes with a gear 5,constituting a part of the trainwhich revolves a shaft 6, upon one end of which is mounted a rotarycircuit-breaker 7, while upon the other end of the shaft is located anarm 8, carrying a contact-brush 9, which travels around in contact witha circular commutator. The commutator illustrated in Fig. 2 consists ofa series of preferably metallic angular contacts 41, secured upon andextending from disks 41 of an insulating material, within which ismounted the revoluble shaft 6. Each seglOO nient excepting the segment42 is connected by wires 43 with an electrically-operated device whichis in circuit with a battery 44 or other source of electricity. Thereturn-wire 45 extends from a battery to a binding-post 4G upon thebase-plate 47 of an arbor 4S. The shaft G is journaled in this arbor andthe current of electricity from Wire 45 will obviously pass into plate47, arbor 48, spring 48, collar C, shaft (i, arm 8, and brush 9. Whilethe commutator above described may be used in apparatus of thischaracter employed forQvarious purposes, it is especially adapted foruse in connection with time-annunciators, dac. The construction of thecommutator may be varied according to the purposes for which theapparatus is used, and several different constructions ot' commutators,any one of which may be used with the improved apparatus, areillustrated in the drawings and will be described hereinafter.

The circuit-closer, which may be a pushbutton, a switch, or amaster-clock, according to the vpurposes for which the apparatus isused, is located at the point designated by the numeral 10 and iselectrically connected with the battery 8 and with an electromagnet 11,said magnet being supported upon the framework of the device.

12 designates a pivoted lever armature adapted to be attracted by themagnet 11 when the latter is energized. This lever is pivotallysupported upon the frame of the apparatus, and its upper end isconnected by a spring 13 with a bracket 14, projecting from the frame,the function of said spring 13 being to retract the lever when themagnet 11 is deenergized. The lever 12 is provided With a lug orprojection which engages a notch 1G, formed in the periphery of thecircuit-breaking wheel 7, and the lower free end of the lever 12 isadapted to contact with a spring 17, secured to the base of theapparatus and having a binding-post 18, to which is secured aconducting-wire 19, leading to the motor.

2O designates a guard-arm pivotally secured to one side of thecircuit-breaking wheel 7 and adapted to cover one side of the notch 1Gand extend slightly beyond the periphery of the wheel. Pins 21 and 22serve to limit the movement of this arm 20. The lug 15 of the lever 12normally rests within the notch 16, and the guard 2O is supportedthereby above the notch.

NVhen it is desired to operate the devices connected to the relay, theprimary circuit is made by means of the closer 10, and the magnet 11,becoming energized,attracts the armature-lever 12 and withdraws the lug15 from notch 16. Arm 2O immediately falls over the side of the notchand the wheel 7is released. As soon as the lug 15 on arm 12 is Withdrawnfrom notch 16 said arm is brought into contact with the spring 17,thereby closing the circuit from battery-3 through the motor 2, wire 19,spring 17, and lever 12. The motor will transmit motion to shaft 6 andits arm 8 and wheel 7 through the train-gearing 5, and the brush 9 willbe brought successively into contact with the segments 41, therebyclosing each circuit including the battery No. 2. When the circuit ofthebrush has been completed, the lug 15 will contact with and raise the arm20, and spring 13 will press said lug into notch 16, provided theprimary circuit has been broken. It, however, the primary circuitremains closed, the wheel 7 will continue to revolve. The segment whichis located in horizontal alinement with the notch 16 is dead, or, inother words, not connected to any electrically-operated device. Theentire apparatus is thus enabled to stand at rest.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have shown a form of commutator which may be used inlieu of the one hereinbefore described. This is formed of a disk 23, ofinsulating material,having a groove 24 in the periphery thereof.Embedded in the bottom of said groove at desired intervals is a seriesof pins or bolts 25, electrically connected, by means of wires 27, withthe devices to be operated. As in the first-described f0rm,this commutator also has a dead bolt or contact therein.

The form of commutator shown in Figs. 7 and 8 consists of a disk 2S, ofinsulating material, provided with equidistant contactpoints 29, whichare connected up in the circuit in the same manner as illustrated inFig. 2 and provided with a brush 29, carried by a revoluble arm 30.

In Fig. 9 is illustrated anotherform of coinmutator, through the use ofwhich electric lights may be suddenly lighted or put out successivelyduring the operation of the relay. The commutator comprises a toothedWheel 31, having electrical connections and adapted to coperate with asuitable brush, which springs into contact successively with the severalteeth of the commutator.

In Figs. 10 and 11 the commutator is shown as comprising a roller ordrum 32 and a plurality of conducting strips 33 of varying 1ength,uponwhich contact-brushes are adapted to bear. These brushes are preferablyconstructed as shown in Fig. 15, and each is in a circuit including oneof the strips 33 and an electrically-operated device. By employing thisform of commutator several lights can be lighted successively, remainlighted, and then be put out simultaneously or one at a time, accordingto the way the strips are arranged on the drum, this operation beingrepeated as the brush revolves.

In lieu of the electric motor shown in Figs. 1 and 2 I may, if desired,employ other means for actuating the brush, and in Figs. 12 and 13 Ihave illustrated an electrically-operated pawl-and-ratchet device forthis purpose. This mechanism comprises a ratchet-wheel 34, geared to thecircuit-breaking wheel 35. An electromagnet 36 is mounted on a suitableframe 37 and is provided with an armature 38, connected to a pawl 39,normally engag- IOO IIO

ing the teeth ofthe Wheel 34. Aspring serves to retainsaid wheel in theposition to which it is moved. The magnet 36 is adapted tobe substitutedfor the motor 2 in the circuit containing battery No. 1. Fig. 13, onewire of the circuit is connected to the magnet,.while the other Wireextends to the pawl 39. A contact 49 is in circuit with the magnet andis adapted to bear against a spring-arm 50, extending from the pawi. Aspring 51 serves to hold the arm and contact normally together. When thecircuit containing battery No. 2 is made, the magnet 36 becomesenergized and attractsits armature 38, thereby forcing pawl 39againstratchet 34 and moving it one notch. As the pawl rises its arm 50 breaksfrom contact --with 49 and the armature immediately falls back to itsoriginal position.l This vibrating action continues as long as thecircuit remains closed. This form of vibrating motor is especiallyadapted for use `with the apparatus when employed as a-time-annunciator.

I claim- I. In an automatic relay, the combination with a motor-shaft,of a second shaft driven thereby, a train of Agearing between saidshafts, a commutator arranged concentric to said driving-shaft, acontact-brush carried by said driving-shaft, a wheel ixed onl the driving-shaftand formed with aperipheral-notch, a'n armature pivotallysupported adjacent to said notch and provided with a lug or projectionadapted to enter said notch, an electromagnet controlling said armature,a contact-spring against which the free end of the armature is adaptedto bear to close the motor-circuit, and means for energizing theelectromagnet.

2. In an automatic relay, the combination with a motor-shaft, of asecond shaft driven thereby, a train of gearing between said -shafts, acommutator concentric with `said driving-shaft, a'contact-brush carriedby said driving-shaft, a Wheel fixed upon the drivingshaft and having aperipheral notch, an armature located adjacent to said wheel andprovided with a lug or projection adapted to enter said notch, anelectromagnet forcontrolling the armature, a pivotally-secured guard on`said wheel adapted to cover the notch therein, and means for energizingthe electromagnet.

As shown in 3. In van automat-ic relay, Vthe combination with apower-shaft, of a second shaft driven thereby, a train of gearingbetween said shafts, a commutator concentric to said driving-shaft, acontact-brush carried by the driving-shaft, a wheel ixed on saiddrivingshaft yandformed with a peripheral notch, a guard vfor said notchcomprising an arm pivotally secured to the wheel and extending acrossthe periphery thereof, and stop-pins to limit the' movement of said arm,an armature pivotally adjacent to said wheel and provided with a lug orprojection adapted to enter the notch in the Wheel, an electromagnet forcontrolling said armature, a contact-spring against which the free endof thearmature is adapted to bear, and means for energizing theelectromagnet.

4. In an automatic relay, the combination with a fixed commutator, oneor more contacts of which are in a circuit with an elec.-

trically-operateddevice, of a rotary brush adapted4 to successivelyclose saidv circuits through the contacts, a notched wheelrevolublerwith the brush, an armature normally engaging the -notchandthereby adapted to lock the brush and wheel against revolution,1

a spring adapted to project the armature into engagement with the notch,a'magnet to the armature, a motor for theV Vbrush and wheel,

and means whereby the armature is attracted to `the magnet anddisengaged from the wheel and a circuit, including the motor, is formed.

5. In an automatic relay, the combination with a motor-shaft, of alsecond shaft driven i thereby, a comm utator, an electrically-operateddevice in circuit with one or more confacts ofthe commutator, a brushoperatedpby the driven shaft and adapted to close said circuitssuccessively, a wheel revoluble with the brush, an armature adapted toengage the wheel, an electromagnet controlling said armature, acontact-spring against which the free end of the armature is kadapted tobear to free the wheel and close the motor-circuit, and means forenergizing the electromagnet.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

oA'LvIN J. sPRINGEaI Witnesses:

MARTIN L. WALLS, GEORGE I-I. IRELAND.-

IOC

